Stigma Free Morris County: Montville School District is First K-12 District to Join County’s Stigma-Free Initiative

Posted Monday, June 5th, 2017

EFFORT TO END STIGMA RELATED TO MENTAL ILLNESS AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE DISORDERS

The Montville Township Board of Education has voted unanimously to pass a Stigma-Free resolution, becoming the first K-12 district in the county to do so, and joining 18 Morris County towns that have enrolled in the countywide effort to help eradicate the stigma associated with mental illness and substance abuse disorders.

The Montville School District joins recently announced participants, Mendham Borough, Mountain Lakes, Roxbury, and Washington Township, which enrolled as Stigma Free communities in Morris County.

Sparta in Sussex County has joined the initiative as the first Sussex County town to do so.

“We became interested in supporting a Stigma Free environment based on information gleaned from the School Climate and Culture Survey conducted during the 2015-2016 school year through the YEA initiative with the United Way,’’ said Montville School Superintendent Rene Rovtar.

“Our results showed that stress and anxiety are a concern among students at all grade levels. We feel it is important that students feel that if they are struggling with any mental health issues that they know that it’s okay not to be okay, and that many resources are available to help them. We want all of our students and staff to know that the district stands ready to support them with no stigma attached.”

Freeholder Director Doug Cabana

“We are pleased that the Montville School District is supporting this Stigma-Free initiative, taking an important and first step to get the young people of our county involved in this effort,’’ said Morris County Freeholder Director Doug Cabana. “We look forward to the energy and support that students in Montville can bring to this initiative in helping affected people seek recovery, without fear of stigma or reprisal.’’

The Morris County Board of Freeholders in 2016 passed a resolution designating Morris County as a Stigma-Free County and asked the county’s 39 towns to consider enrolling. County College of Morris and the Morris County School of Technology have supported the effort, with Montville becoming the first school district to pass a resolution of support.

The Stigma-Free initiative encourages participating towns, communities, school districts and organizations to participate in an active way through educational programs, events and/or active discussion”

Morris County has created a Stigma Free website www.morriscountystigmafree.org to call attention to the initiative, provide information and resources, and a calendar of upcoming events related to mental illness and substance abuse. A Stigma Free Toolkit also is available for towns and communities.

Morris County’s goal in creating a Stigma Free initiative is to disseminate information and foster a stigma-free environment where people are free from judgment and can get the help they need to recover.

As part of the countywide initiative, residents are urged to take the Stigma Free Pledge:

As a supporter to those who have a mental illness or substance use disorder, I understand the importance of recognizing the high prevalence of mental illness and substance use disorders.

I also know that when recognition is coupled with reeducation and understanding, health-seeking action can be taken. These actions lead to recovery, which is possible for everyone.

The Three R’s (recognize, reeducate and reduce) depend on each other to effectively Stamp Out Stigma surrounding mental illness and substance use disorders.

This is what I, as an individual, charge myself to do—to fully Stamp Out Stigma and clear the path to health-seeking behavior. It begins with me.

Stigma is defined as a mark of disgrace which results from the judgment by others. When an individual is labeled by their illness they experience judgment and prejudice. Stigma brings experiences and feelings of shame, embarrassment, distress, hopelessness and reluctance to seek or accept help.

Montville Township Public Schools Stigma Free Resolution

WHEREAS, the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders, along with the Morris County

Department of Human Services, supports the designation of Stigma‐Free Communities in every

municipality, and;

WHEREAS, at their April 27, 2016 meeting the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders

unanimously passed a resolution supporting the designation of Morris County as a Stigma‐Free

Community, and;

WHEREAS, Morris County recognizes that one in four Americans has experienced mental

illness, including substance use disorders, in a given year according to the National Institute of

Mental Health, and;

WHEREAS, mental health problems are more common than cancer and heart disease

combined, affecting children and adults, including more than half of our Iraq and Afghanistan

Veterans treated at Veteran’s Administration hospitals, and;

WHEREAS, given the serious nature of this public health problem, we must continue to reach

the millions who need help;

WHEREAS, the stigma associated with the disease of mental illness is identified as the primary

reason individuals fail to seek the help they need to recover from the disease, and;

WHEREAS, Stigma‐Free Communities aim to inspire public interest and open dialogues about

stigma, raise awareness of the disease of mental illness and create a culture wherein residents

who have the disease of mental illness feel supported by their community and neighbors and

feel free to seek treatment for the disease without fear of stigma and;

WHEREAS, promoting awareness that there can be no “health” without mental health will

break down barriers and encourage residents of all ages to be mindful of their mental health and

ask for help when needed, and;

WHEREAS, local resources are available to treat the disease of mental illness so no one

resident needs to suffer alone or feel hopeless, and;

WHEREAS, establishing Stigma‐Free Communities will raise awareness of resources and

encourage residents to engage in care as soon as the need is identified so recovery can begin,

hope is inspired and tragedies are avoided, and;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Montville Township School District

recognizes the community needs and supports the efforts of the County of Morris and the

Township of Montville in designating the Montville Township Public Schools as a Stigma‐Free